Work

Modeling moisture buffering of innovative plasters from material properties to room scale

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Passive moisture buffering can stabilize indoor microclimates and reduce cooling energy use, yet reliable prediction across scales remains challenging. This study presents a simplified characterization-to-modeling workflow that links laboratory measurements to room-scale performance. Step-response tests in a dynamic vapour sorption (DVS) analyzer were interpreted with a Fickian diffusion model fitted via root-mean-square error minimization, yielding effective moisture diffusivities of D≈1.84×10 −8 m 2 s −1 for the lime plaster and D≈1.17×10 −9 m 2 s −1 for a plaster containing 20% calcium alginate beads. Vapour-resistance factor functions derived from these fits and from sorption isotherms were validated against NORDTEST MBV dynamic measurements, with the best agreement for both mass change (Δm) and MBV at a surface resistance of 0.1 m 2 KW -1 (errors: 0.67% lime; 1.59% alginate). Year-long building simulations then quantified room-scale impacts: the alginate-enhanced plaster attenuated indoor RH fluctuations more effectively than lime, with attenuation factors spanning from 0.2 to -0.8 depending on the moment of the year and the simulated scenario. Energy analyses showed substantial reductions in latent cooling (up to ∼100% in scenarios with wider indoor relative humidity control band) and up to 11.2% lower total cooling energy versus lime, with similar sensible loads. The results demonstrate a practical, scalable pathway from material properties to performance, and highlight alginate-enhanced plasters as promising passive components for humidity stabilization and energy-efficient building design and retrofits.

Source: Journal of Building Engineering

DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2025.114983

Authors: V. Gentile, G. Autretto, M. Libralato, S. Fantucci, V. Serra

Institutions: Politecnico di Torino, University of Udine

Language: English

Topic: Hygrothermal properties of building materials

Subfield: Building and Construction

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,940